Questions on S65
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Newbie
Joined: Feb 2009
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96 Q45
Questions on S65
I am about to purchase a 2006 S65.
Great price.
What should I look at on previous service records to make sure this car has not had any problems? Only 24k miles and warranty to 2012.
What should I do right away after buying this rocket ship???
Great price.
What should I look at on previous service records to make sure this car has not had any problems? Only 24k miles and warranty to 2012.
What should I do right away after buying this rocket ship???
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Joined: Mar 2006
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From: San Jose area
'19 E63S sedan
Any dealer can pull the service record. Are you getting it from a dealer? In other words, is the warranty a Starmark? If not, make sure it's reputable and covers things like fully-active hydraulic suspension. The ABC suspension and electrical modules are the usual things that go on this car. The engine and powertrain is mostly bullet proof.
I put 30K miles on my 2006 S65, bought new, and they have been trouble-free. Don't coddle the car. It's meant to be driven fast. Most of them burn a quart of oil about every 2,000 miles, so carry a quart with you at all times and don't let it bother you. There's a little velcro strap in the right rear corner of the trunk that's a perfect tiedown for a quart of oil. It's gotta be Mobil1 0W40, so find an auto parts place that stocks it.
The phone integration / voice control is very cool and most cars didn't have it installed. If yours doesn't, consider it. It's about $1,500 for the dealer to install it, plus $400 or so for the Bluetooth puck, but the voice control works really well. You can even set the GPS with it and it does a surprisingly good job of understanding city names.
I put 30K miles on my 2006 S65, bought new, and they have been trouble-free. Don't coddle the car. It's meant to be driven fast. Most of them burn a quart of oil about every 2,000 miles, so carry a quart with you at all times and don't let it bother you. There's a little velcro strap in the right rear corner of the trunk that's a perfect tiedown for a quart of oil. It's gotta be Mobil1 0W40, so find an auto parts place that stocks it.
The phone integration / voice control is very cool and most cars didn't have it installed. If yours doesn't, consider it. It's about $1,500 for the dealer to install it, plus $400 or so for the Bluetooth puck, but the voice control works really well. You can even set the GPS with it and it does a surprisingly good job of understanding city names.
Super Member
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 992
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From: Illinois
GL550, C55, 335i Coupe, vintage Mustang
Well put Whoover. These S65s are really great cars. Like he said, carry a quart of oil, which isn't a big deal at all, and keep your TireRack reps phone number handy so you can set up quarterly shipments of rear tires right to your installer's door. Enjoy the car, it was meant to be driven hard.
Nick
Nick
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Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 790
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From: Tampa Bay, FL
Something on 4 wheels..
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Feb 2009
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96 Q45
S65 maintainence
I have not owned a Mercedes for a quite some time.
I have noticed that oil changes requirements seem to be only every 13k miles.
That seems way to long of intervals.
I own an first generation Q45 (140k miles and no problems) the guys on that NICO forum state oil changes every 5k miles and your engine will last to 250k at least/ regular oil changes by the 'bookk' are every 7500k.
Knowing that new Mercedes no longer get the mega miles that the '70-80's got, would the long oil change be a factor?
Also tranny flushes don't seem to be required by Mercedes either.
Do they want the car only to last 100k(covered by warranty) and then the owner starts up the expensive repairs.
I have noticed that oil changes requirements seem to be only every 13k miles.
That seems way to long of intervals.
I own an first generation Q45 (140k miles and no problems) the guys on that NICO forum state oil changes every 5k miles and your engine will last to 250k at least/ regular oil changes by the 'bookk' are every 7500k.
Knowing that new Mercedes no longer get the mega miles that the '70-80's got, would the long oil change be a factor?
Also tranny flushes don't seem to be required by Mercedes either.
Do they want the car only to last 100k(covered by warranty) and then the owner starts up the expensive repairs.
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Joined: Mar 2007
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From: Charlotte, NC
2002 S430, 2004 Cobra, 2004 Tahoe
Sandy--services on AMG's can vary, especially on your driving style. AMG's typically have their intervals at 10k miles, but others may have it done around 7500, just depends. As for the tranny flushes, your service advisor will let you know when those are needed. You have two flexible service options (A & B). Good luck with your new purchase, I would definitely keep the warranty up to date as long as you possibly can.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 4,278
Likes: 377
From: San Jose area
'19 E63S sedan
I have not owned a Mercedes for a quite some time.
I have noticed that oil changes requirements seem to be only every 13k miles.
That seems way to long of intervals.
I own an first generation Q45 (140k miles and no problems) the guys on that NICO forum state oil changes every 5k miles and your engine will last to 250k at least/ regular oil changes by the 'bookk' are every 7500k.
Knowing that new Mercedes no longer get the mega miles that the '70-80's got, would the long oil change be a factor?
Also tranny flushes don't seem to be required by Mercedes either.
Do they want the car only to last 100k(covered by warranty) and then the owner starts up the expensive repairs.
I have noticed that oil changes requirements seem to be only every 13k miles.
That seems way to long of intervals.
I own an first generation Q45 (140k miles and no problems) the guys on that NICO forum state oil changes every 5k miles and your engine will last to 250k at least/ regular oil changes by the 'bookk' are every 7500k.
Knowing that new Mercedes no longer get the mega miles that the '70-80's got, would the long oil change be a factor?
Also tranny flushes don't seem to be required by Mercedes either.
Do they want the car only to last 100k(covered by warranty) and then the owner starts up the expensive repairs.
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2018 S63, lowered
Well put Whoover. These S65s are really great cars. Like he said, carry a quart of oil, which isn't a big deal at all, and keep your TireRack reps phone number handy so you can set up quarterly shipments of rear tires right to your installer's door. Enjoy the car, it was meant to be driven hard.
Nick
Nick
Be prepared buy tires, a lot of tires. I go through rear tires on my S65 about every 6k miles and I do plenty of "highway" driving, but also have no problem hitting the "go pedal" whenever the situation permits.
Drive the car, don't be shy with it....like someone else said, they're meant to be driven. When I initially test drove mine, it was a pig- an absolute turd. After the salesman beat the s*&t out of it and put in some fresh gas, that was all she wrote. It turned into a different car.....guess "grandma" drove mine before I had it. I'm pretty hard on it......but that's why I bought it and the warranty that goes with it.
Be prepared to pay 4-5k for brakes/rotors (that's what my dealer quoted me anyway) when you need them. Stopping anything that big/heavy isn't easy.
If possible, I'd make sure your warranty is an MB factorty warranty. I paid 3500k to have my car CPO'd when I bought it.....it's the best thing I ever did. My dealership gives me "0" problems with coverage. My tech told me that the MB warranty was the only way to go (go figure, he works for them).
I'd make sure your IC pump is functioning properly. Mines been replaced twice in 11k miles. They're very prone to problems and will rob you of some major HP.
My 65 was the best purchase I've ever made, period.....and I've had a decent amount of cars
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Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 2,895
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From: Maryland
'14 E63S & '14 Audi SQ5
Well said.
Be prepared buy tires, a lot of tires. I go through rear tires on my S65 about every 6k miles and I do plenty of "highway" driving, but also have no problem hitting the "go pedal" whenever the situation permits.
Drive the car, don't be shy with it....like someone else said, they're meant to be driven. When I initially test drove mine, it was a pig- an absolute turd. After the salesman beat the s*&t out of it and put in some fresh gas, that was all she wrote. It turned into a different car.....guess "grandma" drove mine before I had it. I'm pretty hard on it......but that's why I bought it and the warranty that goes with it.
Be prepared to pay 4-5k for brakes/rotors (that's what my dealer quoted me anyway) when you need them. Stopping anything that big/heavy isn't easy.
If possible, I'd make sure your warranty is an MB factorty warranty. I paid 3500k to have my car CPO'd when I bought it.....it's the best thing I ever did. My dealership gives me "0" problems with coverage. My tech told me that the MB warranty was the only way to go (go figure, he works for them).
I'd make sure your IC pump is functioning properly. Mines been replaced twice in 11k miles. They're very prone to problems and will rob you of some major HP.
My 65 was the best purchase I've ever made, period.....and I've had a decent amount of cars
Be prepared buy tires, a lot of tires. I go through rear tires on my S65 about every 6k miles and I do plenty of "highway" driving, but also have no problem hitting the "go pedal" whenever the situation permits.
Drive the car, don't be shy with it....like someone else said, they're meant to be driven. When I initially test drove mine, it was a pig- an absolute turd. After the salesman beat the s*&t out of it and put in some fresh gas, that was all she wrote. It turned into a different car.....guess "grandma" drove mine before I had it. I'm pretty hard on it......but that's why I bought it and the warranty that goes with it.
Be prepared to pay 4-5k for brakes/rotors (that's what my dealer quoted me anyway) when you need them. Stopping anything that big/heavy isn't easy.
If possible, I'd make sure your warranty is an MB factorty warranty. I paid 3500k to have my car CPO'd when I bought it.....it's the best thing I ever did. My dealership gives me "0" problems with coverage. My tech told me that the MB warranty was the only way to go (go figure, he works for them).
I'd make sure your IC pump is functioning properly. Mines been replaced twice in 11k miles. They're very prone to problems and will rob you of some major HP.
My 65 was the best purchase I've ever made, period.....and I've had a decent amount of cars
Have you upgraded the I/C pump to a Johnson or did you just have them throw in another Bosch POS?
Tom
Super Member
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 992
Likes: 11
From: Illinois
GL550, C55, 335i Coupe, vintage Mustang
All S65s have a required transmission service at 39000 which seems to make them last significantly longer. It should include a filter, pan gasket, and about 5 quarts of transmission fluid. Labor should not be any more than 1.5 hours, and I honestly think it should be closer to 1.0. Brakes are expensive, but that should only be at around 45-50k miles. The brakes do work hard, but they are massive also.
Nick
Nick
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Joined: May 2008
Posts: 445
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From: USA
2018 S63, lowered
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 4,278
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From: San Jose area
'19 E63S sedan
MBWorld Fanatic!
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From: Maryland
'14 E63S & '14 Audi SQ5
Senior Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 445
Likes: 26
From: USA
2018 S63, lowered
